'Duck Dynasty' patriarch Phil Robertson became a hot topic this week following several anti-gay and offensive racial comments he made in a new GQ profile. As a result, his words have caused him to be suspended indefinitely from the TV show.

Robertson, 67, is unabashedly a conservative Christian who says his mission is to spread God's word from the Bible, but his statements -- first published Wednesday (Dec. 18) -- were so controversial that they caused A&E, the network on which airs the show, to take swift action in response.

In a statement issued to EW, the cable network expressed disappointment in Robertson's remarks and was quick to point out that it does not share his sentiments about sexual orientation.

The statement reads:

We are extremely disappointed to have read Phil Robertson’s comments in GQ, which are based on his own personal beliefs and are not reflected in the series 'Duck Dynasty.' His personal views in no way reflect those of A+E Networks, who have always been strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community. The network has placed Phil under hiatus from filming indefinitely.

Robertson has been ousted from the popular television program for an indeterminate amount of time, but the rest of the 'Duck Dynasty' family will not be punished for his comments.